Cashius Howell: From Underrated Transfer to Boom-or-Bust NFL Draft Prospect
Cashius Howell’s 2025 season at Texas A&M was the kind of breakout campaign that turns heads-and rewrites narratives. The former Bowling Green standout didn’t just make noise in the SEC; he dominated it. Howell led the conference in sacks and walked away with the Defensive Player of the Year award, a feat few saw coming when he arrived in College Station.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Coming out of high school, Howell wasn’t even on the radar of major programs-he didn’t crack the top 2,000 in recruiting rankings.
And while he led the MAC in sacks during his final year at Bowling Green, his transfer to Texas A&M didn’t exactly set off fireworks. But two years under Mike Elko’s system changed everything.
Howell evolved from a productive Group of Five pass rusher into a legitimate NFL Draft prospect-one now being discussed as a potential first-round pick.
Still, not everyone is fully sold on his pro potential just yet. Pro Football Focus recently named Howell one of the top “boom-or-bust” prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, a label that speaks to both his upside and the lingering questions surrounding his transition to the next level.
Why the Boom-or-Bust Label?
The biggest knock on Howell? His size.
At 6'2", 248 pounds, he’s considered undersized for a traditional NFL edge rusher. That’s the same concern that followed him out of high school and likely contributed to his under-the-radar recruitment.
But here’s the thing-those numbers put him in the same neighborhood as Micah Parsons, who checks in at 6'3", 250. And we’ve all seen what Parsons has done with that frame: explosive off the edge, disruptive on every down, and a game-changer in today’s NFL.
Howell isn’t Parsons-no one’s saying that-but the comparison gives you a sense of what’s possible. He’s already shown he can win with speed, leverage, and technique, not just raw power.
His first step is elite, and his motor never stops. If he lands in the right system, one that knows how to scheme for his strengths, he could be a serious problem for NFL offenses.
What’s Next for Howell?
This is the part of the draft cycle where narratives start to shift. With the college season wrapped and the NFL Combine and pro days looming, prospects like Howell are under the microscope.
Every measurable, every drill, every interview will be dissected. And for a player whose size is already a talking point, there’s little room for error.
But here’s where Howell’s tape does the talking. Turn on the film from this past season, and you’ll see a relentless edge rusher who consistently beat SEC tackles-no small feat.
He’s not just a stat-sheet stuffer; he’s a tone-setter. Whether he’s bending the edge or chasing down plays from the backside, Howell brings the kind of energy and explosiveness that coaches love.
Yes, there are questions. But there’s also a mountain of production, a proven ability to develop, and the kind of chip-on-the-shoulder mentality that often fuels NFL success.
Final Thoughts
Cashius Howell’s journey from overlooked high school recruit to SEC Defensive Player of the Year is already one of the best stories in college football. Now, he’s entering the next chapter-one filled with both promise and pressure. The “boom-or-bust” tag might stick for now, but if Howell continues to let his play do the talking, don’t be surprised if he ends up booming louder than anyone expected.